Heat exchange device



March 15, 1932. A. MODINE HEAT EXCHANGE DEVICE Filed May 15. 1929 IPatented Mar. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR B. MODINE, OFRACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO MODINE MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, OFBAGINE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN HEAT EXCHANGE DEVICE Myinvention relates to heat exchange devices and its object is broadly toprovide improved heating apparatus which is convenient and eflicient inoperation.

A particular object of the invention is to provide improved constructionfor that class of heating devices which comprises radiator units adaptedto be suspended from steam or hot water pipes by means through which theheating fluid is supplied to the radiator units.

Another object is the provision of improved heat exchange apparatuswhich is self adjusting to compensate for the contraction and expansiondue to changes in temperature.

A further object of my invention is the production of a device of thecharacter described that is simple, convenient durable, and satisfactoryfor use wherever found applicable.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown anddescribed will be obvious to those skilled in the art from thedisclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings forming part of this specification:

Figs. land 2 are, respectively, front and side elevational views of thedevice.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the device includes aradiator unit generally designated by the numeral 10. The device issuspended from an inlet pipe 11 with which the radiator unit isconnected through a union 12 and a nipple 13. The nipple 13 dischargesdirectly into an upper T-shaped header 14.

A lower T-shaped header 15 is connected with a discharge pipe 18 througha nipple 16 and a union 17 The headers 14 and 15 are connected by aplate 19, the headers and plate together forming a supporting frame forthe radiator unit 10. The radiator unit 10 is shown as comprising twocoils of tubing 21 connecting the upper header 14 with the lower header15 and a plurality of fins 22.

Only one coil of tubing 21 or any number more than one may be used ineach radiator unit as desired. The horizontal sections of the adjacenttubings 21 are shown in alignment. Such sections may be arranged instaggered relation, if desired, and the horizontal distance betweenadjacent tubings 21 may be varied to suit conditions. Each coil oftubing 21 is turned to form a plurality of parallel horizontal sectionspositioned in a vertical plane. This arrangement and construction of thecoils of tubing 21 permits the tubing to contract and to expand withchanges of temperature without causing any undue strain on the device orany spreading or change in the spaced relationship of the header members14 and 15 with which the tubing connects. The plate 19 is fastened tothe header members 14 and 15 by any desired means, such as bolts,welding or the like.

The plate 19 has an annulus 20 symmetrically positioned therein toaccommodate a fan 26. The fan 26 is supported and driven by a motor 23.A pair of vertically extending bars 24 support the motor 23, the barsbeing fastened to the members 14 and 15 and to the motor by bolts 25.

A plurality of the fins 22 are mounted on each of the horizontal lengthsof tubing 21 and are preferably arranged in uniform spaced relation. Thefins 22 are shown as circular plates or sheets of metal centrallyapertured for mounting upon the tubing 10. The central apertures of thefins 22 are made to form a close fit with the tubing 21 upon which theyare mounted.

The parallel ing 21 may be spaced vertically as desired, the fins 22being preferably of substantially the same diameter as the Verticalspacing of such horizontal sections, thereby providing for substantialcontact-of the fins on one horizontal section with the fins on theadjacent upper and lower horizontal sections. The fins 22 are arrangedin vertical alignment whereby they function in substantially the samemanner as would fins formed of continuous vertical plates. Since it isim-' possible to assemble or mount continuous vertical plates on thehorizontal sections as fins,

horizontal sections of the tubp the circular fins 22 are-provided inverticalrows to accomplish the same result.

It is obvious that rotation of the fan 26 will drive air through theradiator unit 10 and that the air is heated in passing through the cellsformed by the horizontal sections of the tubing 21 and the verticallyarranged rows of fins 22. The radiator unit 10 is adapted to be turned.to direct the heated air in any desired direction in the room. Thedevice is adapted to be turned relative to the inlet pipe 11 and theoutlet pipe'lS by reason of the threaded connections of the pipes withthe unions l2 and 17 respectively. 1

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a heating device which is ofsimple construction and is adapted to be suspended from a steam or hotwater main; is self-compensating to provide for contraction andexpansion due to changes in temperature and which may be rotated todirect heated air coming therefrom to any desired portion of the room inwhich the device is mounted.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, andcombination ofparts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

.support' -tioned elements provi plurality of conduits,

. What I claim asnew and desire to secure byLettrs Patent isz.

-1. In apparatus of the kind described, a

' supporting frame including oppositely positioned header tanks and aradiator unit connecting the tanks, said radiator unitcomprisingaplurality of adjacent substantially straight sections of tubingarranged in par- .allel relation connected to form a continuous conduitand means for advancing air through said unit, said means beingconnected with a support by said header tanks.

In apparatus of the kind described, a supporting frame includingoppositely positioned elements providing supports and header tanks, aradiator unitconnecting the tanks, said radiator unit comprising aplurality of adjacent substantially straight sections of tubingconnectedto form a continuous conduit, a frame extending between said headertanks, and means for advancing air through saidradiator, said meansbeingsupported by said frame. L In apparatus of the kind described, a

g frame including oppositely posiheader tanks, and a radiator unitconnecting the tanks, said radiator unit comprising a each of saidconduits taking the form of a pluralityof connected sections of tubingarranged to form a continuous conduit, means for advancing air throughsaid radiator un t, and an arm which exten s from one of said tanks provding ding supports and supporting the means for advancmg air throughsaid conduits, said annulus being located between said arm and radiatorunit.

5. In apparatus of the kind described, a

I supporting frame including upper and lower tanks, a radiator unitcomprising a plurality of conduits separately connecting the headertanks, each of. said conduits taking the form of a plurality ofconnected horizontal sections arranged in spaced relation in a verticalplane and connected-at their ends with adjacent upper and lower sectionsto form a continuous conduit, an element having an opening, said elementbeing arranged at one side of said radiatornnit, air advancing means, anelement of said air advancing means being located in said opening andhaving a motor arranged at one side of said element, and means forsupporting said air advancing means, said supporting means having itsopposite ends respectively connected with one of said tanks and saidmotor.

6. In apparatus of the kind described, a supporting frame includingoppositely positioned header tanks, and a radiator unit connecting thetanks, said radiator unit 'comprising a plurality of adjacentsubstantially straight sections of tubing arranged in parallel relationconnected to form a continuous conduit, and a fan operable to drive acolumn of air through the radiator unit, a member providing an annulussecured to said tanks, a motor for driving said fan, the annulus beingarranged between the motor and radiator unit, and a'support for saidmotor extending inwardly relatively to said tanks.

7. In apparatus of the kind described,

a supporting frame including upper and lower header tanks, tubular meansfor suspending the frame from a fluid supply pipe and for connecting thepipe with the upper header tank, a rad ator unit comprising tuband lowersections to form a continuous conduit, an outlet pipe for the lowerheader tank in vertical alignment with the supply pipe,

and means operable to permit the frame and radiator unit to be rotatedabout the axis of said pipes.

8. In apparatus of the kind'described, a supporting frame includingupper and lower header tanks, tubular means for suspending the framefrom a fluid supply pipe and for connecting the pipe with the upperheader tank, a radiator unit comprising tubing connecting the headertanks, said tubing taking the form of a plurality of horizontal sectionsarranged in spaced relation and connected at their ends with adjacentupper and lower sections to form a continuous conduit, a fan supportedby said tanks and being operable to drive a column of air through theradiator unit, an outlet pipe for the lower header tank and meansoperable to permit the frame and radiator unit to be rotated about theaxis of said tubular means.

9. In apparatus of the kind described, a supporting frame including uper and lower go header tanks, tubular means or suspending the framefrom a fluid supply pipe and for connecting the pipe with the upperheader tank, a radiator unit comprising tubing connecting the headertanks, said tubing taking the form of a plurality of horizontal sectionsarranged inspaced relation and connected at their ends with adjacentupper and lower sections to form a continuous conduit, a plurality ofplates forming fins mounted on each of said sections, a fan operable todrive a column of air through the'radiator unit, an outlet pipe for thelower header tank in vertical alignment with the supply pi e and. means.operable to permit'the frame an radiator unitto be rotated about theaxis of said pipe.

10. In apparatus of the kind described, a supporting frame includingheader tanks, a radiator unit comprising tubing connecting 40 the headertanks, said tubing taking the form of a plurality of sections arrangedin spaced relation and connected at their ends with adjacent sections toform a continuous conduit, airvadvancing means associated with saidtanks and tubing to thereby provide a heat exchange unit composed ofsaid sections and air advancing means, said tanks providing means forconnecting said apparatus to a support, and said support providing meansso through which fluid is supplied to said radiator unit.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

ARTHUR B. MOD INE.

